Sevilla vs Barcelona preview

Posted Saturday, September 29, 2012 by PA

Barcelona will attempt to maintain their perfect start to the Primera Division season against Sevilla and keep the pressure on Real Madrid heading into next weekend's Clasico showdown against their arch rivals.

Barca make the trip to Seville having won all five of their league matches and boasting a two-point lead over second-placed Atletico Madrid at the summit while they are four clear of the teams in joint third.

Perhaps more importantly though, they are already eight points clear of Madrid and, providing they do not slip up against Sevilla, they could extend that further when Jose Mourinho's stuttering champions visit the Nou Camp a week on Sunday.

It is a fantastic position for Barca to be in and midfielder Xavi knows it is important they do not give Madrid any chance to close the gap this weekend.

"It's an important difference and we have to make the most of it. It's still very early, but we can't waste it," he said in Sport.

"We are in week five, but it's an advantage we mustn't lose. It's a shame it's not week 30. The pressure is on them."

Barca have much the tougher looking assignment this weekend however, as while Madrid are at home to promoted Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday, Tito Vilanova's men face unbeaten Sevilla.

Sevilla have picked up three wins and two draws so far, and one of those victories saw them beat Madrid 1-0 at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

Michel's men also have the joint-best defensive record in the division with only two goals conceded.

Xavi added: "We've got the Clasico next at home but now we've a difficult match against Sevilla. They are strong and with a brave coach.

"Madrid found it difficult to create many chances there."

Barca full-back Jordi Alba also believes his side's eight-point gap to Madrid is "important", but insists the title race is not necessarily just between the big two.

He is also well aware that the troubles Madrid have suffered at the start of the season could also befall his side at some point.

"It was unthinkable that Madrid would lose those games, we we're forewarned: it could happen to us," he said.

"Now we need to think about getting three points against the team with the least goals against, Sevilla.

"Hopefully we can maintain the difference until the Clasico, but I wouldn't discard Atletico and Malaga."

Aside from beating Madrid, Sevilla have also defeated Getafe - the other side to have downed Mourinho's men this season - at home while picking five points from their trips to Granada, Rayo Vallecano and Depor, leaving them fifth in the standings.

Looking ahead to the match, veteran goalkeeper Andres Palop believes his side's win over Madrid will stand them in good stead.

"If you play a certain way against Real Madrid and you beat them, then you know if you play the same way against Barcelona you're going to make it difficult for them as well," he said.